Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has described the South-East’s voting pattern in the 2023 general elections as a “wrong national political calculation” and a “political accident” that will not recur in 2027.
The governor spoke while hosting leaders of the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, at the Government House in Owerri. The meeting, convened ahead of the party’s primaries, focused on fostering unity within the APC in the South-East and galvanising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We made a wrong national political calculation in the South-East in 2023. What happened in the South-East in 2023 is a political accident that will not repeat itself,” Uzodimma said.
He urged party leaders and stakeholders to set aside differences in the interest of the region, adding: “Our job is to be our brother’s keeper. Unite, no matter the disagreement.”
The South-East had delivered a bloc vote to opposition candidate Peter Obi in the last presidential election. Uzodimma argued that the region must align politically with the ruling party at the centre to remain relevant in national politics.
“Nigeria is built on a tripod. The only way to reintegrate properly and take charge is to be part and parcel of the APC, to have a say in Nigeria,” he stated.
He further called for greater political investment in President Tinubu’s re-election bid. “We must work for Bola Tinubu to be indebted to us. We have to invest to be able to earn dividends. We must get more votes for the President in the South-East,” Uzodimma said.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects in the region, declaring: “President Bola Tinubu will win convincingly in the South-East, and we will be signatories to that victory.” He also assured that efforts were ongoing to ensure stability, adding: “We will enforce peace in the South-East.”
APC stakeholders call for unity
Key APC stakeholders in attendance included the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu; former Minister of State for Labour, Nkiru Onyejiocha; former Minister of State for Education, Henry Ikoh; and Chairman of the South-East Development Commission, Emeka Wogu.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu criticised the current administration in Abia State, saying it had failed to meet expectations. “Abia needs a breath of fresh air. What we have seen in recent times is not good enough for our people,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with Imo State, Kalu praised Uzodimma’s governance style. “With similar allocation and resources, Governor Uzodimma is doing much better in Imo State. He is not making noise about his achievements, but the work is visible.”
Kalu accused the Abia State government of prioritising publicity over performance. “In Abia, what we see is noise on social media without corresponding development on ground. Governance is not about propaganda; it is about results,” he added.
He maintained that the APC must take over leadership in the state. “The APC must win Abia in 2027, both in the governorship and in delivering the President. That is the only way to reposition the state and align with the centre for greater benefits.”
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among APC leaders in the South-East to strengthen party structures, deepen unity, and mobilise stronger electoral support for President Tinubu as momentum builds towards the 2027 general elections.
